Finding a job is important, for obvious reasons. Especially if you’ve been out awhile, you’re likely behind with your bills. You need to get a paycheck coming in soon.

Now is the time to think about what you would like to do. No one wants to go to a job that they hate day after day just to make some money.

Hopefully, by now you’ve taken some time to think about what type of work you would love to do. If you are a people person, you will have different choices than if you like to work alone.

I read a statistic a few years ago that applied to some high percentage of people (the number is long since forgotten, but it was a major slice of the populace) who have the jobs they have, not because they sought after the type of job they thought they would enjoy or be good at.

No, the reason why most of us have the jobs we have today is because the job was available or offered to us at the time were looking for work. And, most people are not thrilled with where they ended up. (Maybe that’s why they call it Work.)

When you are between jobs you can try to sway the odds of ending up somewhere you might like a little better.

If you haven’t given any serious thought to it, this is a good place to start.

Make a list of the types of jobs you would like to have. Keep in mind your skills too, so that you can get matched up with a job. If you have any training, education, or other work experience then that helps you to get a better job. If you have no work experience you may have to start with an entry-level position.

Keep in mind, you don’t have to make it a career, so don’t let that get you down.

Once you have made a list of the types of work you would be interested in, see what jobs are available. Look around locally to see what opportunities you have. Check with job service, watch for signs at businesses, and look in the local newspaper. If you have favorite places you like to shop or eat and you would like to work there, ask if they are hiring.

“Do you have anything I could help you with that I’m qualified for?” It’s a good opener.

Look around online to find plenty of great job opportunities. You can do this with a variety of sites. It is easy to narrow down the jobs by title, location, pay, and more. Keep in mind that many jobs aren’t advertised so tell your friends and family that you are looking for a job. They can bring you more leads than you imagined.

As a side note, in the past 30 years, my best job leads have come through the “grape-vine network.” We call it “beating the bushes” when you are looking. Everyone you know and come into contact with needs to know you are looking for work.

Create a simple but nice looking one page resume. It should be printed on good quality paper. Then you can attach it to the applications you pick up. If you are applying online, make sure you submit it along with the required application. Do write a cover letter.

With some job search preparation, you will get plenty of leads that can help you to secure a job you are happy with and that pays well. The more you put into that initial looking around the faster you will start to get calls for interviews. Then, that day when you start the job will be right around the corner!